44-23151

P-38 Lightning

French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.'
The view of the bombardier through the plexiglass nose of a Droop Snoot P-38 coming in to land. Note the bombardiers feet at bottom of frame.

Lockheed P-38J Lightning 'Droop Snoot*' 44-23151 'Colorado Belle' 401st FS, 370th FG, 9AF USAAF.
* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.

"Droop Snoot" is what the boys call this P-38 which has given up its armament for a plexiglass nose, Norden bombsight, and bombardier. P-38 bombardiers are recruited from heavy bomb groups.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A23344-56268AC

DROOP SNOOT-Ground crewman at a base in Belgium prepare to "bomb-up" a "droop snoot" P-38 Lightning fighter-bomber for another attack against enemy fortifications and strong points. This model of the P-38 is known as the "droop snoot" because of the glass enclosed nose. The plane carries a bombardier in addition to the pilot.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A05164-56914AC.

Head on shot of - 'General view of Lockheed P-38 photo plane with gun sight aiming point camera mounted on bomb racks, and K-22 aerial camera in nose. ITALY'.
Actually this a "Droop Snoot". a P-38 which has given up its nose armament for a plexiglass nose, Norden bombsight, and bombardier. P-38 bombardiers are recruited from heavy bomb groups.
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A22940-56134AC.

Lockheed P-38J Lightning 'Droop Snoot*' 44-23151 'Colorado Belle' 401st FS, 370th FG, 9AF USAAF.
* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.

* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.

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Military site : airfieldAndover was built in the First World War and used by the Royal Flying Corps, then the RAF. Home to the 370th Fighter Group in 1944, it was then handed back to the RAF. The airfield closed in 1976, and the site has since been used by the British Army.

Military site : airfieldPlanned to be a Satellite Landing Ground for No. 23 Maintenance Unit at RAF Aldergrove, Langford Lodge was selected in October 1941 to be developed as an air deport for the maintenance and repair of USAAF aircraft. A scheme was devised whereby the...